Vehicle type

Body style

Capacity

Appearance(s)

Manufacturer

Related vehicle(s)

The BenefactorSchafter is a luxury 4-door sedan featured in Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V. The Schafter has been redesigned in The Ballad of Gay Tony, nicknamed the "Second Generation", sporting a much more luxurious and modern look.

In The Ballad of Gay Tony, the second-generation Schafter is featured. It has a more modernized appearance, with a general body design similar to that of a W212 Mercedes-Benz E-class, a front fascia clearly derivative of that of a C216 Mercedes-Benz CL-class, and a rear fascia similar to that of a W212 Mercedes-Benz E-class. Adding to the more modern appearance is the presence of LED strips below the two bi-xenon bulbs in the headlights, and LED taillights.

Performance

Schafter's engine.

The Schafter in GTA IV is powered by a 6.5L supercharged V12 coupled to a 5-speed gearbox in a RWD configuration. Although the large 6.5L supercharged V12 is quite powerful, the car feels slow because of its weight. Due to said weight, acceleration is below average, compared to other vehicles in its class, such as the Oracle and Presidente. Top speed is good at 153 mph (245 km/h. The car handling is above average, although a slight hint of oversteer is detectable, the Schafter's firm suspension makes it a pleasure in low-speed cornering. The suspension is a perfect balance of firm and soft, keeping the Schafter planted on the road in turns, while not jarring over bumps. Braking is fair, and ABS is available, though not standard. Crash deformation and engine build quality are excellent; the car is capable of sustaining multiple direct impacts, and can also take a fair amount of gunfire before the engine stalls or inflames. The "Russian Mafia" Schafter has a slightly higher top speed than it's unmodified counterpart at 160 mph (256 km/h).
The vehicle in GTA V loses its V12 sound but uses the similar engine sound as the Tailgater, Sentinel, Sentinel XS,Gresley, and the Surano.

First Generation badging.

Variants

GTA IV

A Schafter advertisement.

A tuned version of the Schafter (similar to S-Class variants from the Mercedes-AMG division, most likely the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG) is commonly found in Hove Beach, being driven by the Russian Mafia. It is black, has black wheels, sports a body kit, and a debadged grille. However, the Russian Schafter can be resprayed to any color. The black wheels will also be recolored back to the standard color, unless painted a certain silver shade that is accompanied by black wheels.

The Ballad of Gay Tony

Similarly, the Second Generation Schafter is also available in a modified form, featuring a different grille, a body kit, dual exhaust, larger chrome wheels, and the possibility of appearing with monotone or two tone paint.

The Ballad of Gay Tony's Schafter also serves as the base for the Stretch E limousine.

In A Revenger's Tragedy, a rare Schafter can be found at the abandoned Alderney Casino. It is the Russian Mob variant, with black rims, but has a dark red fluorescent tint. No matter how many times the player sprays the car in a Pay 'n' Spray, it will remain the same color.

There is a particularly rare color variant of the Schafter with a silver body and black rims; Schafters of this color are only spawned while the player is already driving a Schafter.

The name Schafter may be a crude reference to the shaft of a penis.

In the loading sequence, the concept art shows Niko Bellic running from the police in a maroon Schafter.

The Schafter has a coupe variant known as the Schwartzer, which is also seen in Grand Theft Auto V.